Bath-cabinet.



Patented Aug. 5,A |902.

a. w. RILEY. BATH CABINET. (Appliention Med Sept. B1, 1901.)

2 Shasta-Shadi 2.

(No Model.)

UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES'W. RILEY, OF MARSHALLTOVN, IOWA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO D. C. WILBUR, OF MARSHALLTOWN, IOVA.

BATH-CABINET'.

`sPEoIrIeA'rIolv lforming part of Letters Patent No. 706,476, dated August 5, 1902. Application iiled September 2l, 1901. Serial No. 76,106. i (No model.)

T @ZZ whom it may cori/cern;

Be it known that 1, JAMES WIRILEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marshalltown, in the county. of Marshalland State of f Iowa, have invented certain new and useful` Improvements in Bath-Cabinets, of which the following is a specification.l

The objects of my invention are to provide a bath-cabinet of simple, strong, and durable construction that when not in use will form an ornamental article of household or oflice on may obtain both a steam-bath,V and at the same time mayhave electrical currents passed through his body in various directions and entirely under the control of and at the will of the patient being treated.

A further object is to provide a cabinet of this class with means of simple and inexpensive construction for steaming the patients head, leaving only the face exposed.

My invention consists in certai tion of the various parts of the device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as

hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claim, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichl Figure 1 shows the entire cabinet in perspective, a portion of the top and a portion of the front being open. Fig. 2 shows in perspective the device for applying a steam-bath to thepatients head. Fig. 3 shows in perspective a portion of the bottom of the cabinet with the seat and electrical connection therefor in position, parts ,thereof being shown in section. longitudinal sectional view through the coinplete cabinet. Fig. 5 shows an enlarged detail view of a portion of the walls of the device, and Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of same, illustrating the construction thereof.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference-numeral 10 to indetaus in i of asbestos or other similar material. the construction, arrangement, and combina.

adjacent to the said lining is a series of Fig. 4t shows a vertical dicate the sides of the cabinet. The front of `the cabinet is divided into two parts, the

lower part 11 being fixed to the sides and the `upper part 12 being hinged thereto to swing outwardly and downwardly. The top of the compartment is composed of two hinged covers 13 and lefconnected by means of the hinges 15 with the sides 10 and each pro vided at its inner or meeting edge with a semicircular notch 16, through which the pal tients or operators head projects.

The back of the cabinet (indicated by the lreference-numeral 16) projects some distance above the top, and a mirror 17 is preferably placed on this front surface.

The bottom of the cabinet (indicated by the reference-numeral18) is elevated some distance above the bottom of the side pieces and is provided with an opening designed to receive a water-pan, hereinafter described. In the back 16, `beneath the bottom portion 18, is a hinged door 19 `to cover an opening 20,

through which access may be had to the interiorof the frame beneath the bottom 18.

All of the parts which are exposed on the interior of the cabinet are made as follows:

The outer layer or surface is made of wood,

wooden strips 23, and on theinner surface is a metal lining 24preferably made of copper. The exposed edges of all the parts are linished by having ,the copper plate 24 made to overlap almost, the entire edge, except for a small portioniof the outer wooden portion, as clearly indicated in Fig. 5. By means of this construction it is obvious that the steam A on the interiorof the cabinet and the variations of temperature and different degrees of moisture will be prevented from affecting the outer layer of wood in such manner as to tend itto warp or crack. Hence the cabinet is susceptible of being vornamented and iinished in a neat and attractive manner on its exterior to form a finished article of household oroice furniture.

The reference-numeral 25 indicates a glass plate having a portion removed at one end to admit the water-pan 26, which is extended through an opening in the bottom. 18. This T v-voeflre glass plate is designed torest flat upon the bottom of the cabinet and is held in place by means of pins 27, passed through openings 28a in the glass and in the bottom 18.

Within the cabinet I have provided a seat indicated by the reference-numeral 28 land provided with perforations 29. This seat is made of metal and rests upon top of the glass'plate 25. It is held in position by means of the' heads of the pins 27, so that it cannot move laterally upon theglass plate, and is of course insulatfedfrom the' bottom 18.V On a shelf 29a is a battery 29"A or other source of electrical supply. A wire 30 from the battery is attached to a pin 31, which pin is in contact with the metal lining ofthe cabinet.

The other pole is' connected with a wire 32, which leads to a spring contact-plate 33,

. fixed to an insulator 34 on the under'surface of the bottom 18. d

The numeral 35 indicates a pin having a large head and designed to be passed through one of the openingsin the glass plate and to have its lower end engage the spring-plate 33 and its upper end or head rest against the metal seat 28. Obviously so long as the pin 35 is in position one pole of the battery is connected with the copper lining of the cabi duet andY the other pole with the seat,and these y and an electrical current will two are insulated from each other by the glass plate 25. `I have xed to the copper lining one or more metal handles 36, 'and the parts areso arranged and proportioned that when -the pin` is in position the operator may after he is seated upon the seat 28 place hisfeet on the lcopper'lining ofthe bottom 18 pass through his feet and legs, or he may grasp the handles 3b' and receive an electrical current through' his handsI and arms, or by leaning back against the copper lining of the back or touching it at any point he-may receive a current through his body. Of course so long as the operators feet are upon the glass plate 25 no `current can pass through his body unless he touches the copper lining. By this means we have dispensed with all switches or of other electrical appliances Within 4the interior of the cabinet, and yet thejoperatorm-ay readily and easily control the iow of the currentthrough his body.

The numeral 3,7 indicates a lamp to be placed under the water-pan 26 for the purvss pose of. generating steam to iiow to the interior ofthe cabinet, and limiting-chains 38 are attached to the hinged covers lto limit and restrict their outward movement. A steamexhaustopening 38"l is provided, and a plug 38b is placed therein.v

A, The device for subjecting the patients ork operators head to the action ofthe steam comprises a rectangular box 39, open at its bottom and front and provided at its front n passed. This box isr designed to rest upon y edge with a flexible coveringv 40, having an oval opening 41 in its central portion through which the operators or patients face may be 'the top of the cabinet, and sufcient steam to lill it will pass through the ysemicircular openings 1G. When this device is not-in use, towels may be placed around the operators or patients neck to cover the opening.

In practical'nse it is obvious that the seat and the glass plate are readily detachable upon the removal of the pins, and when this is done the entire interior of the cabinet presents av smooth surface of metal and which obviously may be highly polished and thoroughly disinfected. When the seat and glass plate are placed in positionw and the pan is partially filled with water, the electric-contact pin 35 need not be placed in position unless the electric current is to be used. The hinged top piece and the hinged front are then opened and the operator or patient may readily enter the .cabinet and seat himself upon the stool 28 and then closes the top and front. The opening around the oper' ators or patients neck may be closed by towels, and obviously the interior of the cabinet will be filled with steam from the water-pan, and if it is desired to treat the patient electrically the pin 35 is placed in position, and so long as the patients feet rest upon the glass plate the current will not be passed through his body; but, as before explained, he may receive a current through any portion of his body by touching the copper lining of the cabinet at any point.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desirev to secure by Letters Pat ent of the United States therefor, is

In a bath-cabinet the combination of a frame comprising two sides,a back, anda front which is hinged at its central portion allowing the top portion thereof to swing outwardly and downwardly; a top divided along its longitudinal center capable of lswinging outwardly, said top having a circular opening in its longitudinal center throughwhich the operator may pass hisl head when the topis closed, a bottom piece elevated some distance above the lower edge of the front, back, and sides, means for introducing steam into the interiorof the cabinet from beneath the bottom piece, a metal conductor-lining for the entire interior of. the cabinet, a plate of insulating material resting upon the upper surface of the bottom piece having suitable openings therein, a metal seat resting upon the insulating-plate, removablemetal pins passed through the insulator-plate and said bottom piece to engage the metal seat and limiting the movement thereof, a contact-plate to engage one of the metal pins when it is in position for use, a source of electrical supply,

means for connecting one pole thereof with said metal lining and the other pole with said contactfplate, substantially as and for the purposes stated.y

JAMES W.. RILEY. Witnesses:

GEORGE R; NoRRIs, JAMES N. TATE.

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